A reminder if you are new to Methodist-speak :) that historically, a congregation is called a society - we are the Westville society; societies are grouped together into circuits - the fifteen Methodist societies in our area make up the Durban Metro Circuit (we have four ministers in our circuit working alongside these societies); circuits belong to districts and we are a part of the Natal Coastal District.
This week all the ministers in our district (there are about 40 of us), met over a couple days for a retreat at the Mariannhill Monastery. We were led by a wonderful Presbyterian minister who quickly read the room and could see that many of us seemed tired, drained. During our time together he shared two bible stories with us - Elijah running from his calling - fleeing Jezebel into the desert and the apostle Peter running from his calling - going fishing after the resurrection of Jesus. I hadn't noticed the connection between the two stories before - in both instances, these men are running away and God comes to them, meets the individual and then the first thing he does is invites them to stop, rest and eat. Elijah is fed by angels and Peter is given fish to eat on the shores of the lake.
It is only then that God moves on to ask searching questions of these two men: he asks Elijah "what are you doing here?" and Peter "do you love me?" and there follows a moment of restoration, renewal and the re-affirmation of their calls. Is God inviting you to stop and be refreshed too? Is there a probing question he has for you today?